Bullitt exhaust sounds changes with steeda tune?

[destiny.seeker]

You are the first person I've heard describe a change in the sound. I am very curious as to what Steeda will tell you. That actually was one of the things Steeda mentioned to me when I interviewed regarding the SME Edition for my book. They didn't want to mess with the sound because they thought it was great.

I read it before! and with my previous experience of getting tunes for my 08 bullitt on top of the interview, I was quite sure that the sound would not change this much with a tune only.

It still sounds good due to its v8 engine's nature (just like other GT's), but definitely worse than before. The change made my car to weakens its identity. I would not care If I was not so fond with this bullitt sound since 2008.

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[Brian@BMVK]

You are the first person I've heard describe a change in the sound. I am very curious as to what Steeda will tell you. That actually was one of the things Steeda mentioned to me when I interviewed regarding the SME Edition for my book. They didn't want to mess with the sound because they thought it was great.

Not a Bullitt, but my GT definitely changed tone significantly in the same ways as the OP describing when I got my AED tune.

 

[Mustang_Lou]

I experienced the exact same thing with the Livernois tune last summer. The exhaust tone changed. I mentioned it and they gave me one with changes to the burble tables but it's not that IMO, it's the changes in the timing tables I'd guess.

In the end I didn't notice any performance improvements at all and went back to the sweet sounding stock tune.

@destiny.seeker the improvements you're feeling are likely just a livelier throttle response - get a SprintBooster v3 and become a happy camper again with the stock exhaust sound and the sharper throttle response of the SB.

 

[Brian@BMVK]

I experienced the exact same thing with the Livernois tune last summer. The exhaust tone changed. I mentioned it and they gave me one with changes to the burble tables but it's not that IMO, it's the changes in the timing tables I'd guess.

In the end I didn't notice any performance improvements at all and went back to the sweet sounding stock tune.

@destiny.seeker the improvements you're feeling are likely just a livelier throttle response - get a SprintBooster v3 and become a happy camper again with the stock exhaust sound and the sharper throttle response of the SB.

The Livernois tune I had before wasn't that impressive for me either. A little bit of SOTP but not much. The AED tune really was a step-change difference. I would expect the same from Lund, PBD, also.

Sprintbooster/Pedal Commander just change the input/output of the pedal signal, there's no increase in "response". It just gives 75% throttle at 30% input, or however you want to set it.

 

[Schwerin]

I would assume that any sound changes are from the Air/Fuel tweaks in the tune. The easy way to confirm this is ask him to send you a tune that has the stock a/f maps. It COULD be timing but you'd likely see things like that in the smoothness of the dyno's lines.

This isn't uncommon. I had a 2000 Escort ZX2 that when changing from a stock ECU to Ford Racing ecu or a solid tune the car even on start-up sounded different enough that it surprised the tuner running the dyno. It was much deeper at startup and seemed to have a smoother, louder growl (for a 2.0 i4) when revving out compared to stock which was more muted.

The Bullitt mufflers are a different part numbers but unless you open them and a GT to look there is no way to know if internally they are different.

Infact changing some of the air/fuel at idle is how Lund does his "ghost cam" tunes.

 

[Tony Alonso]

OP - based on other people's experiences, please let us know if the tune you got was the same as what was applied to the naturally aspirated SME Bullitt. When I heard the SME super-charged version run, it sounded the same to me in tone, but admittedly it wasn't under load.

Thanks to those of you who have mentioned your experiences.

 

[Mustang_Lou]

Sprintbooster/Pedal Commander just change the input/output of the pedal signal, there's no increase in "response". It just gives 75% throttle at 30% input, or however you want to set it.

Our interpretation of "response" must not be the same then. To me the car moves with less throttle input. Without the SB, it's like a 2" piece of sponge is taped to the gas pedal. Or a wad of mashed potato.

I've had one on several cars now so speaking from experience - hope you are as well?

 

[Brian@BMVK]

Our interpretation of "response" must not be the same then. To me the car moves with less throttle input. Without the SB, it's like a 2" piece of sponge is taped to the gas pedal. Or a wad of mashed potato.

I've had one on several cars now so speaking from experience - hope you are as well?

Yes I've used said devices. All it's doing is making the pedal non-linear. If you like less control, more like an on-off switch for the feeling of "response", cool...I just say push the pedal down more.

 

[Cajunrice]

I have a PBD tune on E85 and I can tell you my exhaust note was completely different after the tune. Now it sounds like a completely different car after I removed the cats and added an x-pipe. For me I'm after performance so I don't mind.

 

[destiny.seeker]

I would assume that any sound changes are from the Air/Fuel tweaks in the tune. The easy way to confirm this is ask him to send you a tune that has the stock a/f maps. It COULD be timing but you'd likely see things like that in the smoothness of the dyno's lines.

If I ask the tuner to get the stock A/F maps for me, we'll the still be possible performance gain after all? I will take the stock sound with a slight performance gain over the current sound with moderate tune. :"D

 

[Mustang_Lou]

Yes I've used said devices. All it's doing is making the pedal non-linear. If you like less control, more like an on-off switch for the feeling of "response", cool...I just say push the pedal down more.

Again, our interpretation is different, this time on "non-linear". Non-linear is EXACTLY what the stock tune has ... you press the pedal 40% and get 10% throttle for example. See video below and note the adjustment buttons to fine-tune your level of "response".

Apologies to the OP for the thread hi-jack but need to present the facts ... I'm out on the SB.

 

[Schwerin]

If I ask the tuner to get the stock A/F maps for me, we'll the still be possible performance gain after all? I will take the stock sound with a slight performance gain over the current sound with moderate tune. :"D

You'll likely have some gains from timing changes, but not as much as them both together. I'm not familiar with the current Mustangs tunes so I'm not sure if most the gains are from the timing or A/F changes. The gains from JUST timing are likely not worth the money you've spent.

 

[Nexus]

The Bullitt mufflers are a different part numbers but unless you open them and a GT to look there is no way to know if internally they are different.

IIRC the Bullitt mufflers would be a different part number even if they were the same internals as the GTs due to the Nitro Plated tips. Which I believe is the case.

There was a video (that I can't seem to find) where Carl Widmann mentions the Bullitt had a differently packed crossover 'suitcase' that is different than the GT which gave it part of its signature sound along with the intake+airbox+Active Exhaust tuning.

 

[scottso]

The last email I had from James after datalogging with the tunes he said that the car goes right into coasting fuel shut off as soon as I let up on the throttle. On the stock tune it apparently does not so he said we’ll probably have to play with the conditions for when the car goes into CFSO.

For me the exhaust note sounds good on the tunes. Just no rumbles and pops on downshifts or between shifts anymore which as others have said is half the fun.

 

[Tony Alonso]

There was a video (that I can't seem to find) where Carl Widmann mentions the Bullitt had a differently packed crossover 'suitcase' that is different than the GT which gave it part of its signature sound along with the intake+airbox+Active Exhaust tuning.

That's the same as I understand. So if there is a tone difference, I'd be surprised with just a tune. However, as mentioned above, going into fuel shutoff vs not when letting up on the throttle is clearly a difference that affects the experience with burbling, cracks, and popping.

Of course, the OP noticed a change in the tone ("pitch") on acceleration, so I am definitely interested to learn what was adjusted. I would now have even a harder time with a tune change because Ford nailed the sound, in my opinion. That's more appealing to me than an increase in the acceleration feeling more punchy. Your mileage may vary

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